Abstract

Alcohol consumption poses a significant public health concern, especially among
university students who often experience newfound independence from direct parental
oversight. This study aimed to identify the factors driving alcohol consumption among
Kampala International University's Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery students. Employing a
descriptive cross-sectional approach and self-administered questionnaires, data collection
focused on alcohol-consuming students via snowball sampling. Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS) software facilitated data analysis. Of the 384 participating students
who consumed alcohol, nearly half (47.7%) fell within the 20-24 age range, evenly
representing both genders. Notably, no substantial correlations emerged between alcohol
use and age, gender, religion, or academic year. A majority of students initiated alcohol
consumption at 16 years or older (41.4%). Significant associations were found between
alcohol consumption and upbringing, as well as university residence. Urban upbringing and
off-campus residency correlated with higher alcohol consumption. Psychologically, family
structure played a role, with 59.4% of participants living with both parents reporting
alcohol consumption. Peer influence was prevalent, with a substantial number introduced
to alcohol by friends, either at university (32%) or at home (35.2%). While 97.7% recognized
alcohol as a mood-altering stimulant, only 29.1% acknowledged the link between young
adult binge drinking and future alcoholism development. Merely 12.5% believed that early
alcohol exposure increased the risk of dependence, yet 93.5% recognized its association
with academic underperformance or dropout. Alcohol abuse among university students
appears normative, shaped by family norms and peer pressure. Supervision by family and
university staff, coupled with educational interventions highlighting the health risks and
consequences of excessive alcohol consumption, stand as effective measures to address
this societal issue.